Best of British Olympians to raise funds for 2012 Games - but what about the legends who missed out?

Six Olympic champions will be key figures in raising funds for the London 2012 Games after being named as the top Brits of all time.

However, the poll commissioned by the National Lottery is sure to raise a few eyebrows because of the names not on the list - including twice decathlon champion Daley Thompson, Sebastian Coe's greatest rival in the 1980s - Steve Ovett - and four-time gold-winning rower Sir Matthew Pinsent.

They will be the faces on a new scratchcard for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics , the 'Olympic Champions' cards featuring their finest hours. The National Lottery has already awarded £3bn to British sport since 1994 and is committed to another £2.2bn for the 2012 Olympics.

Holmes was quick to throw her weight behind the project, insisting: 'It's very exciting to be involved in this project alongside such an incredible line-up of Olympic Games gold medallists.

'I'm honoured that, thanks to the fantastic support I continue to receive from the British public, I've been invited to appear on the Scratchcard.'

She claimed her double at the 2004 Athens Games, while Redgrave's haul was accumulated at five successive Games, spanning a remarkable 16 years.

However, the omission of his long-time partner Pinsent, Thompson, Ovett and the likes of cyclists Chris Boardman and Chris Hoy as well as 100m champions Allan Wells and Linford Christie will leave some sports fans bewildered.

Four-time winner: Sir Matthew Pinsent (front, arms raised)

Double champion: Daley Thompson

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Best of British Olympians to raise funds for 2012 Games - but what about the legends who missed out?